Loaches Online Forum

Yes, it sure does! Both pictures above are of the same fish - our lone survivor! He's actually got black barbels, too, which is interesting because all of my others have relatively light "faces" & moustaches.

We're pretty attached to him already, but still trying to err on the cautious side. He's danced his little way right into our hearts though! <3

He LOVES bloodworms! He also likes the brine shrimp with spirulina & the sinking pellets, but not too interested in flake food! I've yet to try any veggies like peas or spinach because I'm trying to fatten him up a little. Maybe next week before the water change?

pretty little guy!!
good luck with him. If he is vigorous with the feeding, sounds like he has turned the corner.

Oh, he is a tiny little fry! I just want to pick him up and snuggle him. I'm happy to hear of the improved health. If those fins on the tetras aren't getting any better, I'm going to make you buy a bottle of melafix! Ha ha. It promotes healthy fin growth with minimal scaring. I wouldn't use but just a tiny bit, however. All of these guys look so small! I need to give 'em my famous angry loach meal course! They'll be so bit and fat, you almost won't recognize 'em! Lol, I wish that worked more often. I'm Trying to fatten up some tiny bala sharks as we speak.

Please keep us posted on this little one's health! Oh, and good news! I think our little friend might be a she. We'll know a little better when it puts on some pounds~

Great news to report!!

Everyone is doing SMASHINGLY WELL!! The tetras fin issues have resolved, the baby clown is eating up a storm & growing & finally starting to get some really wonderful color, too!

You think it's a girl!???

You bet. Females have a claw shaped tail fin where as the males have straight outward fin tips. When the little one gets bigger, we'll be able to see if the tail fin curves inward at all a little better.

Hi, I have both male and female Clown Loaches. I have been unable to see any difference to the shape of the tail fin between my males and females. My fish are 20 years old.

Two of my fish quickly developed to become the largest, fuller bodied and dominant fish in the shoal and as this happened I began to suspect they may be female. When they exhibited spawning behaviour (without actually laying any eggs) several years later, being chased by the smaller and slimmer males, I became more sure.

Therefore I would say that, based on my experience with my six fish only, once a Clown Loach is at least a couple of years old a heavier bodied fish is likely to be female and a slimmer fish is likely to be male.

I'm not sure if this is a bit backwards for clowns but I nicked this image from the webz and I've used it as a basis for sexing my own clowns. SI've always been under the impression that the female had the inward curve, but it certainly helps narrow it down a bit.

Can you show pics of this difference in your fish please?

As you can see from my fish there is no visible difference between male and female tail fins.

It took me more than an hour to so much as get a hand full of useless, blurry photos from my race car team of clowns, so I used the image you provided, actually.



It's a slight curve inwards in comparison, but to me it's perfectly noticeable.

OK, I can see the difference now that you have drawn it on.

However, what about the third tail that you have not drawn on?

That looks rather similar to the one on the left, if you see what I mean?

I go by the "height" rather than the tail shape for sexing botia type loaches..

redshark1 wrote:OK, I can see the difference now that you have drawn it on.

However, what about the third tail that you have not drawn on?

That looks rather similar to the one on the left, if you see what I mean?

I'd say the one in the back is curved inward as well.

I would agree, but the difficulty we have is that fish is female.

Hi MandaMonkey, Angry Loach, Red Shark1 and others,

I have been following this conversation since early January. Please keep me up to date on the ' little fry's ' progress please? This Aussie likes how tough this little lady/guy is.

Fro0m what size could one seks these macracanthus?